2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk CONTACT US: The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published on the last Sunday of the month previous to publication date. The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published by its owners. The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster, a registered charity, (No. 234331), and is wholly independent of and separate from any previous newspaper published by or on behalf of the diocese. EDITOR: Edwina Gillett 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 edwinagillett@hotmail.co.uk www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk ADVERTISING: Charlotte Rosbrooke / CathCom Ltd. 01440 730399 / 07932 248225 charlotter@cathcom.org www.cathcom.org DESIGN &, LAYOUT: Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative 01253 730343 rob@hot-creative.co.uk www.hot-creative.co.uk PUBLISHED BY: CathCom Ltd. N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Blois Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Su昀,olk CB9 7BN 020 7112 6710 www.cathcom.org Articles to: voicenews@hotmail.co.uk Letters to: voiceletters@hotmail.co.uk POSTAL ADDRESS: FAO Edwina Gillett 99 Commonside, Ansdell, Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ Please send articles for publication on CD or by email, supplying any photos separate to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise please type double spacing or write very clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST DAY of the month prior to publication. Photographs will be returned if you remember to put your name and address on the back of each and enclose suitable stamped and self- addressed packaging. EDITORIAL I n the October edition of the Catholic Voice we reported on the launch of a 2 Year Synodal Process entitled ‘,Vision of Missionary Communion Orientat ed to Evangelisation’, and gave readers a general outline on the phases and timescales involved. The Catholic Voice will provide regular updates throughout the process and will shortly be able to explain the arrangements for our own Diocese of Lancaster. We will all be urged (including those no longer participating in Church life) to participate in the diocesan consultation which will conclude with an Assembly. Encounter, Listen and Discern Pope Francis has described the synod as a ‘,journey of spiritual discernment’, guided by God’,s word. He said “,In these days, Jesus calls us, as he did the rich man in the Gospel, to empty ourselves, to free ourselves from all that is worldly, including our inward looking and our outworn pastoral models, and to ask ourselves what it is that God wants to say to us in this time. And the direction in which he wants to lead us.”, And the Pope warned against ‘,formalism’, intellectualism’, and ‘,the temptation of complacency’, as we embark on this journey together. “,Enabling everyone to participate is an essential duty”, he said, adding “,we (the Church) have taken some steps forward, but a di

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3 YOUTH MATTERS Youth Service Director Jack Regan Appeals for your Help NATIONAL YOUTH SUNDAY During November the Youth Service will be sending people round to di昀,erent parishes to talk about our work in the hope of convincing people that we are a cause worth donating to. Yes, that’,s right, those appeals after communion that you all know and love –, we’,re going to be doing a fair few of those. Hopefully, though, with a bit of a di昀,erence…, As well as having a collection, we are also going to be inviting people to sign up for the Castlerigg Lottery. The lottery costs £,3 per ticket and draws take place each month. The winner takes half the pot! Right now, the prize fund is just under £,200 and it’,s growing fast. Okay, it’,s not sailing-a-yacht-round-the-west-indies money, but a very nice day out or maybe even weekend away. But why donate your hard-earned to the Youth Service anyway? Our mission at Castlerigg Manor is a simple one. We want as many young people and young adults as possible to know that they are loved by God. We want them to know who they were born to be and how wonderful it is to really know God in the midst of the Church He created. That is our sole mission and something we are working hard to realise each day. It would be easy at this point to play the tiny violins, to tell you that we have been hard hit by Covid, and about all of the spending commitments that we have, but while that’,s all quite true, I personally donate to things not based on what that thing needs, but based on how worthwhile it is and what it’,s trying to achieve. For the youth service, the equation is simple: the more resources we have, the more we can do to realise the vision I’,ve just spelled out. If any of that has made you feel like putting your hand in your pocket, head to www.castleriggmanor.co.uk/nys ADVENT RETREAT This December - 10th to the 12th to be precise –, we will be holding our 昀,rst ‘,in person’, open retreat since Covid! What is an open retreat? Well, it’,s a chance for anyone aged 11- 25 to come to Castlerigg for a retreat without their school or parish. It’,s a chance to make friends, have fun, and maybe deepen our faith a little bit along the way. What does ‘,in person’, mean? Well, it’,s like a zoom retreat but physically all together in one room. Sounds weird, I know, but trust us when we say, it works! www.castleriggmanor.co.uk/advent K&,M Maintenance Heating - Electrical - Drainage Established 25 years Telephone: 01772 704530 Fax 01722 798801 Heating, Electrical and Drainage and Plumbing services across the North West of England Gas •, Emergency Boiler Repairs for all makes •, Boiler Installations &, servicing •, Central Heating System repairs/upgrades/leaks •, New fitted Central Heating Systems •, Landlord Gas Safety Certificates (CP12) Electrical •, New consumer units supplied and fitted •, All emergency breakdowns •, Power tripping •, New lighting •, Additional sockets •, Faulty sockets •, Rewiring •, Outdoor lighting/sockets •, EICR - electrial safey certificates Drainage and Plumbing •, Blocked drains, internal and external •, Leaks •, New taps •, Camera surveys Prices Boiler Service - £,49 + VAT plus £,10 for every additional appliance. Tel No: 01772 704530 Mobile: 07941 554730 Fax No: 01772 798801 Address: K &, M Maintenance Services Ltd, Unit 8A, Electron Mill, Brook Street, Preston PR1 7NH More information: www.kmmaintenance.co.uk Mark F H Rae Funeral Directors Dip FD MBIFD Incorporating Rawcliffe and Rae Independent Family Firm A Caring and Personal Service with over 40 years experience Funerals conducted by Mark and Helen Rae Consultant Funeral Director Paddy Keogh Tel: 01253 789000/01253 735269 Wood Street, St Annes on Sea, Lancashrie FY8 1QS Website: www.markraefunerals.co.uk

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4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk T he United Nations climate talks or Conference of Parties (COP) will take place 1-12 November 2021 in Glasgow. COP26 will be the biggest summit ever hosted in the UK. It is the most signi昀,cant climate event since the 2015 Paris Agreement, at which over 190 countries agreed to the aim of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. COP26 is the 昀,rst summit when countries must report back on their progress since the Paris Agreement, and set out more ambitious goals for ending their contribution to climate change. Fossil Fuel Energy Most of the world’,s energy is produced by burning fossil fuels - oil, coal and gas - which creates carbon dioxide which is damaging the environment and causing global warming. Also, fossil fuels cannot be replaced. So, it is absolutely necessary to change to sustainable and non- polluting energy sources. Topsoil We need healthy topsoil for growing crops, but it’,s rapidly disappearing. It is being eroded by trees being cut down for growing cash crops and grazing livestock, it is being washed away into rivers and seas from lack of trees and vegetation to hold it in place, and it is being degraded by the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides etc by intensive farming methods. Global warming, spread of diseases, 昀,ooding and contamination of water ecosystems all worsen with loss of topsoil. One estimation gives us only 6 more decades before we run out of topsoil. Consumerism Perhaps the most pernicious problem is our overconsumption of resources, and the wastage that goes with it. If we continue consuming at the present rate, we will need 3 Earths by 2050. As individuals we could choose to buy nothing without questioning the need. The least the Government should be doing is transitioning from unsustainable, wasteful and polluting businesses and agriculture to green businesses and agriculture. Mass Extinction We’,re heading for a mass extinction of species on Earth. By growing livestock and cash crops, we are using far more land than we need for agriculture, which is causing extinction of species. We need to grow organic crops in a sustainable way, using agroforestry and permaculture. Governments must help farmers change over to sustainable agriculture by shifting subsidies and 昀,nancial incentives from livestock production to sustainable organic plant- based agriculture. Environmental Crisis If we don’,t limit global warming to well under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in fact to below 1.5 degrees, the consequences will be disastrous for countless people all over the world. Climate change is just one of the emergencies we’,re facing. Deforestation, environmental pollution and destruction, pandemics. antibiotic resistance, global hunger, over-consumption, waste of resources, extinction of species, obesity and ill health in richer countries –, all these have reached crisis point or are about to do so: https://edition.independent.co.uk/edition/ uk.co.independent.issue.260921/141154/ index.html Make your voice heard at COP26 Everybody needs to get active, by changing their lifestyles and lobbying power holders to make changes in the nation’,s lifestyles. If you haven’,t written to the PM yet, please do so now. A few words are all that’,s needed to show your opinion, for instance: An Urgent Call to Action Virginia Bell sends this report from Laudato Si Animators

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 Dear Prime Minister, You have committed to keeping global warming down to under 2 degrees Celsius, but you have changed very little. As this is a crisis, your actions should be immediate, strong and should include every department of the government. My vote is dependent on your response to the environmental crisis. One email can be sent to multiple Cabinet Ministers, or choose from this list: https://members.parliament.uk/Government/ Cabinet Among the most important are perhaps: Boris Johnson , Prime Minister –, https://email.number10.gov.uk Dominic Raab , Lord Chancellor –, fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk Rishi Sunak , Chancellor of the Exchequer –, public.enquiries@hmtreasury.gov.uk George Eustice , Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural A昀,airs –, george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk Alok Sharma , COP26 President (Cabinet O

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6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk I t was the morning of the pilgrimage on Sunday 12th September Fr Paul Johnstone had checked his four weather apps, three said 昀,ne weather for Sunday afternoon, one said showers. That was it then. We would take the risk that one of the apps was wrong, Mass would be held outside and the pilgrimage could go ahead for the 昀,rst time since 2019. The pilgrimage to the Grotto of Our lady of Lourdes at Cleator has been held annually since its construction over ninety years ago. The communities of Cleator and Cleator Moor were dependent on the mining and iron industries, and during the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s, times were very di

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 T he Altar Servers Guild of St. Stephen held their Annual National Mass on Saturday 25th September, 2021 in the Church of St. Mary and St. John, Wolverhampton. The Celebrant was His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley of the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Altar Servers young and old came together from around the country including a few from our own Diocese of Lancaster. The Archdiocese, on behalf of the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen Central Council, had gone to much trouble in making the occasion very special in terms of the liturgy and the decoration of the Church. Altar Servers and their families from Lancaster will next be gathering for their annual meal on Thursday evening of 11th November, 2021 at the Castle Green Hotel, in Kendal. The principal guest of honour will be Bishop Paul Swarbrick and the key note speaker, Canon John Watson of, The Good Shepherd Parish, Workington. This will be an opportunity to celebrate and promote altar serving in our Diocese. A server trivia quiz is also planned. Altar servers goods –, medals, books and certi昀,cates etc will be available to purchase and can be bought anytime and info sought regarding Guild Events in Lancaster Diocese by emailing mulholland.id@gmail. com . Further info on the work of the Guild in England and Wales can be found at guildofststephen.org Ian Mulholland We would like to thank these schools for always supporting the paper HEADTEACHERS –, If you would like to support the Catholic Voice and promote your school to Catholic families in the area please contact Charlotte on 07932 2 48225 or 01440 730399 or email charlotter@cathcom.org to book your advert Our Lady’,s Catholic High School St Anthony’,s Drive, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 3SQ Headteacher: Mr Nigel Ranson Tel: 01772 326900 Email: admin@olchs.lancs.sch.uk Web: http://www.olchs.lancs.sch.uk Teacher Training with the Catholic Teaching Alliance The Catholic Teaching Alliance (CTA) is a partnership between 70 Catholic primary and secondary schools, and a post-16 college, led by Our Lady`s Catholic High School with a shared vision and commitment to providing PGCE with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) courses in partnership with the University of Cumbria. Contact: 01772 326931 Email: CTAschooldirect@olchs.lancs.sch.uk Website: www.catholic-teaching-alliance.org

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8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk W orkington Parish began life in 1810 when the Benedictines established a chapel on land donated by the Curwen Family of Workington Hall. The 昀,rst chapel (along with the priest’,s house) was built in 1813. Mass was said here until 1876. The original chapel then became what is now Banklands church hall, part of St Joseph’,s High School. In 1876, the present Grade II listed church was built to a design by E W Pugin. Some 45 years later on Wednesday 14th September 1921 the Church of Our Lady and St Michael’,s, Workington, Cumbria was Consecrated. Apart from reordering the sanctuary area in 2001, it remains unaltered. Over the years much interior work has been done to beautify the church. Of particular interest are the stained glassed windows - some of the 昀,nest in the area. The Choir Stalls which were installed for the consecration, were made by Robert “,Mouseman”, Thompson and one “,other”, . A book titled “,Fifty Catholic Churches to See Before You Die”, was published on 27th September 2020. It includes Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Michael in Workington. Having the church included in one of only 昀,fty Catholic churches from around 3000 in England and Wales says an awful lot about the history and quality of this superb building which we are fortunate to have here in West Cumbria. The Church is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register and applications for grants and local fundraising are underway for the urgent repairs needed to safeguard this hidden gem for future generations. Please visit: www.stellamarisproject.co.uk The parish was sta昀,ed by the Benedictine monks of Ampleforth Abbey until 2009, when it was handed over to the Diocese of Lancaster. In 2011, the Church became part of the newly established parish of Christ the Good Shepherd, which also incorporates St Gregory’,s and St Mary’,s Harrington. Bishop Paul Swarbrick (who was Parish Priest prior to becoming our Bishop) along with local clergy and those who have worked in the parish along with many parishioners, civic dignitaries and school representatives celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving. We welcomed a local lad, Fr George Corrie OSB representing the Abbot and Community of Ampleforth and Sr Kathleen Neenan, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity of St Paul accompanied by our Parish Pastoral Volunteer, Sr Eleanor. The order has given long years of dedicated service to the Centenary of Consecration Our Lady &, St Michael’,s Church, Workington Headteacher: Mr John McAuley BA (Hons) MEd Address: Scalegate Road, Carlisle, CA2 4NL Telephone: 01228 404942 Lay Chaplain Permanent, part time, term time (39 weeks per year to include inset and work during school holidays) PCD8i –, PCD8ii FTE £,25,481 - £,25,991 pro rata (£,13.21 - £,13.47 per hour) St John Henry Newman Catholic School is seeking to appoint an exceptional Lay Chaplain. As Lay Chaplain at our school you will be a practicing Catholic, with the ability to be a credible witness to a life of faith. Ideally you will have the skills to contribute to the spiritual and pastoral care of all members of our school community. The successful applicant will have a central role in school life and will work alongside the RE Department and the Headteacher in leading and developing Catholic faith of our school. Current working hours are: 15 hours per week –, days and times to be agreed with successful applicant. St John Henry Newman Catholic School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. This post will be subject to satisfactory, references, DBS and health checks. For an informal chat about the post or to request to visit our school please contact Jackie Brough, Senior Assistant Headteacher by email: jbrough@newman.cumbria.sch.uk Application packs can be requested by emailing vacancies@newman.cumbria.sch.uk or downloaded from our website at http://newman.cumbria.sch.uk/Vacancies/ Your application form should be supported by a letter of no more than two pages of A4 Completed application forms can either be emailed to the address above or by post addressed to HR and Finance Department The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 10 November 2021 Short listed candidates will be contacted by telephone or email

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9 parish notably in education, catechesis, and care for the poor. Fr Paul Harrison (Assistant Priest in the parish) gave an overview of what would have happened 100 years ago at the consecration, ‘,It would have been an extremely elaborate celebration and would have started outside the church. The procession would have circled the outside of the church three times and blessed the walls of the church. Once inside the church they would then have blessed the walls from the inside not once but three times. Next, they would have put in place the consecration candles and the stones above them. The Bishop himself would have put the 昀,rst one in place (climbing up ladders to do so). Next the altars of Our Lady Star of the Sea and The Altar of the Sacred Passion (as it was known then) and the main altar were consecrated with oil of chrism and lots of incense (a minimum of 2 lbs of incense would have been used). The celebrants would have included the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle together with 30 priests –, not spectators but each one of those priests would have had a job to do within the celebrations. 32 Altar servers assisted in the Mass. The celebrations would have started at 08:30 in the morning and High Mass was from 12 noon and would have lasted about 2 hours. Therefore the whole celebrations would have been from 09:30 to 14:30 pm.’, Bishop Paul, in his homily, reminded us that a parish exists to ‘,make present on earth still, the presence of Christ’,. ‘,We are here to thank Almighty God for His saving grace, and we give thanks for the Faith, work, sacri昀,ce, and example of those early parishioners, their faith has bene昀,tted us.’, The bishop spoke of ‘,the work back then is the work we have now, it has not changed, it is the same mission.’, ‘,Looking back gives us the con昀,dence to face the future.’, Canon John Watson (Parish Priest) Thanked everyone for attending and we all enjoyed a bu昀,et and refreshments in Banklands Hall, the original chapel. A magni昀,cent and joyous occasion. If you happen to 昀,nd yourself visiting Workington in West Cumbria, be sure to call in, the Church is open all day. Paul Briers ‘, A parish exists to make present on earth still, the presence of Christ. ’, Bishop Paul Swarbrick

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10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk S t Mariam of Jesus Cruci昀,ed (1846-1878) was born in Abellin, a small village near Nazareth, in the Holy Land. Her parents were poor working people ( her father a powder maker) , and extremely devout. Both parents died when she was just 3 years old. She was separated from her brother, Paul, who she never saw again, and went to live with a well-o昀, uncle. She was treated as one of his children. In childhood she was burying some birds someone had given her, which had died as she tried to wash them. She heard a voice say to her, ‘,All earthly things end this way! If you will give me your hear t, I will remain with you for ever!’, At the age of thirteen her uncle told her that she had been o昀,ered in marriage to a relative. When she learnt what the duties of marriage entailed, and remembering her childhood encounter with Jesus, she refused, made a vow of perpetual virginity and cut o昀, her plaits to indicate what she thought of the engagement, sending these to her uncle with the golden trinkets that had been given as pledge of the expected union. Her uncle was furious and treated her as a slave, giving her the toughest work of the house. Complaining of her treatment to a Muslim servant, he put her trials down to her Christian faith, and tried to convert her to Islam. She protested that the Catholic faith was the only true faith, whereupon he 昀,ew into a rage and slashed her throat with a scimitar. She later recalled that she did die and enter heaven, where she heard the words, ‘,Her book is not yet 昀,nished’, and she returned to life. Her body was rescued from an ally where she had been dumped, and she was taken to a grotto and nursed back to health by a religious in a blue habit, whom she believed was the Blessed Virgin Mary. Medical examination of the scar she retained throughout life revealed two missing rings in her trachea, and con昀,rmed her survival was miraculous. She spent the rest of her teenage years as a domestic, moving from house to house spending herself on her work, giving away her earnings to the poor, and praying. Twice she fasted for an entire year on bread and water. Wrongly accused of theft, once imprisoned, and subject to dangers, she grew in faith and holiness. At the age of 19 she entered the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition. They were however unable to cope with the supernatural phenomenon which were already manifesting themselves. So she followed her Novice Mistress into the Carmel of Pau, where she became a Lay Sister (ie those who did the heavy work) . Later she was one of the founding party that set up a new Carmel in Mangalore, India. She was remarkable in exhibiting all the charisms –, ecstasies, prophecy, stigmata, knowledge of hearts, levitation, and bilocation. She experienced extraordinary trials –, calumny, sickness, hard work, false accusations, insults, misunderstandings, and a sense of abandonment by God. She was inspired to found the Carmelite Monasteries of Bethlehem and Nazareth, supervising the building works of the former. She died in the land of her Master, at the age of 33, from gangrene and su昀,ocation after a fall whilst carrying buckets of water. She kept working until four days before her death. PRAYER Because most of her prayer life was so extraordinary we will focus simply on three aspects that can be imitated by anyone. Devotion to the Holy Spirit She had a tremendous devotion to the Holy Spirit. She said of the Holy Spirit: ‘,It is You who enable us to know Jesus’,. ‘,I do not ask You for other knowledge or other wisdom but to know how to 昀,nd Jesus and the wisdom to keep and never lose Him.’, An d I felt the 昀,re move and blaze in my heart. The Holy Spirit does not refuse me anything’, (in Buzy, p. 119). In May 1869 she received in an ecstasy the following prayer, which she recited and recommended to others: Holy Spirit inspire me, Love of God consume me Along the true road guide me Holy Mother Mary, look upon me With Jesus bless me. From all evil, all illusion From all danger preserve me (in Buzy, p. 119). St Mariam of Jesus Cruci昀,ed - Holy Spirit, Inspire Me! Boarbank Hall Contact: Sr Marian Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH Telephone: 015395 32288 Website: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Canonesses of St Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus “,She who accepts the common life possesses God”, St Augustine A Warm Welcome to Everyone Prayer , Community , Hospitality , Care of the poor and sick SELF STORAGE Secure Units Available Sizes To Suit All Needs Competitive Rates Open 7 Days Curly Tail Storage Park Lane, Forton PR3 0JX Tel: 01524 791837 E: andrew@curlytailstorage .co.uk www.curlytailstorage.co.uk M ass Listings –, November 2021 St. Margaret Mary, Scalegate Road, Carlisle Saturdays at 10.00 am Saturday 6th November –, Sung Requiem Mass Shrine Church of St Walburge, Preston Mondays to Fridays: 8.30 am Low Mass Saturdays: 8.30 am, Low Mass Sundays: 10.30 am, Sung Mass Shrine of the English Martyrs, Preston Monday-Saturday: 12 noon, Low Mass Sundays: 9.00 am, Low Mass (Please check the website for any variations: https://icksp.org.uk/preston/) Our Lady &, St Michael, Banklands, Workington Second Fridays at 7.00 pm (Please always check with Canon Watson before travelling: 01900 602114) St Mary`s, Main Street, Hornby Saturdays at 11.00 am (Please check with Fr Docherty before travelling: 015242 21246) Local Representatives: Bob &, Jane Latin Telephone: 01772 962387 Email: lancaster@lms.org.uk Website: latinmasslancaster.blogspot.com Who cares for our SICK AND RETIRED PRIESTS - Annual collection (last Sunday in October) - Donations and Legacies gratefully received Secretary: Rev. Peter Draper, St. Anthony’,s, Cadley Causeway, Fulwood, Preston PR2 3RX Diocese of Lancaster Registered Charity number 234331

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 She received the following locution from Jesus, encouraging her to spread this devotion: ‘,If you wish to seek Me, invoke the light of the Holy Spirit, who enlightened my disciples and enlightens all who invoke Him. I say it to you in truth …, whoever will invoke the Holy Spirit will thus seek and 昀,nd Me. His conscience will be delicate like the 昀,ower of t he 昀,elds. If it is a father or mother of a family, peace will reig n in that family, and their hearts will be at peace in this world and the next, they will not die in darkness but in peace. I desire ardently that priests say a monthly Mass in honour of the Holy Spirit, whoever will say it or hear it will be personally favoured by the Holy Spirit, such a one will have light and peace. He will heal the sick, He will wake up those who sleep’, (in Buzy, pp. 120-1). A Passion for Jesus She often invoked the Holy Name of Jesus, often joined with that of His Mother, Mary: ‘,Mercy, Jesus! Mercy! Mary!’, This is a beautiful prayer any of us could use as we go about our day –, as a way to learn to ‘,pray without ceasing’, . She loved the Rosary, and invoked Mary in times of temptation, experiencing her powerful help. On her deathbed the Sisters suggested the invocation ‘,My Jesus, Mercy’,, to which St Mariam replied, ‘,Oh, yes, mercy’,. These were her last words (in Buzy, p. 287) . Gratitude and Praise She was full of gratitude. Once when she fell and dropped water everywhere, the most natural expression to come to her lips was ‘,My God I thank Thee!’, She thanked the doctor for the painful cauterisations she had to endure. She prized humiliations, and prayed for the Sister who calumniated her, o昀,ering herself to su昀,er in her place in order to rescue this Sister’,s vocation. T he Sister in question persevered in religious life (Buzy, p. 278) . She often broke into canticles of praise. She said: ‘,Mother, all the world is asleep and no one is thinking of God, so full of goodness, so great, so worthy of all praise! See how nature praises Him, the heavens, the stars, the trees, the plants, they are all praising Him, and man, who has knowledge of His goodness, who ought to be praising Him, he sleeps! Let us go and wake up the universe.’, And she left her cell, still repeating ‘,let us go and praise God, sing His praises. Everything sleeps, all the world is asleep, let us go and wake them up. Jesus is not known, Jesus is not loved. He, so full of goodness who has done so much for man’, (in Buzy, p. 141). The Virtue of Work One might think that St Mariam was forever prostrate in ecstasy, but nothing could be further from the truth. She absolutely poured herself out in work. The Holy Spirit inspired her to serve, to spend herself for others. Work was the proof of the authenticity of her prayer. She would often get up early and be in the laundry until 4pm. She ‘, did the work of four’, . She volunteered for the most di

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12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk T he Rwanda Group Trust, a registered Catholic charity based in Preston, has launched an appeal having received news of serious food shortages in Rwanda. Fr Placide, one of the trust’,s contacts, whose parish includes Nkombo Island in Lake Kivu, states: “,People here are very hungry, they don’,t have the opportunity to work in order to get money and food is very expensive.”, He goes on to say: “,This pandemic caused a serious economic crisis amongst people - some of the people to whom we gave goats and pigs had to sell them in order to feed their families and we now need to replace them. “,The people from Nkombo island are very thankful for the goats and pigs they received from your help but another big problem for them is that their lives are based on 昀,shing in Lake Kivu. I beg if possible, you can help them to buy 昀,shing nets. One 昀,shing net can cost £,550 and can be used by two 昀,shermen. We really beg you because people are very hungry and they are poor. Fishing can help in the 昀,ght against malnutrition that we are facing here in children of Nkombo island. They need at least a further 7 昀,shing nets but no matter if it’,s not possible because we really know that you always try to help us.”, Regarding Education, Fr Placide states: “,The students from poor families are many. In order for these students to continue with their studies, the help they receive needs to be doubled because their parents are no longer able to pay their contribution.”, A former pupil who has been helped by the charity recently emailed saying: (Bear in mind that French is the 昀,rst language spoken in Rwanda) “,How are you Sir, I get your email in my hand book, I am not sure whether you have ever come in Rwanda helping orphan. If so I am thankful to you because those you helped, now we have 昀,nished University! once again thank you so much May God bless you!”, Fr Placide concludes: “,Receive greetings from RGT members in Rwanda, and they are very thankful for your assistance and kindness you always show us. May God bless you.”, Another of their contacts in Rwanda, Petronille, also wrote recently: “,Food, health accessibility, school fees are still a problem for many families especially families with chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer, mental health, ... in collaboration with Benedictine Sisters in Huye District, we are trying to help around 80 persons with chronic mental health by giving food initially and we will be continuing to support their associations with goats or pigs as much as possible.”, In view of the above, the Rwanda Group Trust has started an urgent appeal to raise funds towards the purchase of 昀,shing nets, as well as goats and pigs. They are also still asked for help to fund the rebuilding of houses after serious 昀,ooding earlier this year. Unfortunately, this comes at a time when they have had to permanently close their charity shop in Preston due to Covid, so are totally reliant on donations. The charity has no employees or overheads, so all monies donated go straight to Rwanda. £,30 pays for a pig or a goat or £,40 covers school fees for one term. A larger donation would repair a house or help with 昀,shing nets. If anyone would like to make a donation on behalf of someone else (eg for a Christmas present) a suitable card can be provided. Since the shop closed in March 2020 one of the trustees, Michael Donlan, has been seeking sponsorship to climb the 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District. He has now completed 208 and hopes to 昀,nish them by the end of October. He can be sponsored on Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ 昀,shingnetsforrwanda or telephone Michael on 07864 990941. Bank details and the Trust address can be found at: www.Rwandagrouptrust.blogspot.com A volunteer is needed to set up and maintain a new and simple website for the Charity. Have you got the necessary IT skills? Are you willing to help? Please ‘,phone Michael 07864 990941. Pandemic in Africa

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 T he story of how the Rwanda Group Trust came into being really begins in 1981 in the small town of Kibeho in Rwanda. That was the year that Our Lady 昀,rst appeared to 3 teenage schoolgirls at Kibeho High School (apparitions which were o

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14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk Mission Possible Go Make Disciples! Con昀,rming Our Mission! M any people across the Plymouth diocese have now taken part in ‘,Mission made Possible’, - a preparatory course in intentional discipleship and evangelisation. Furthermore, it is also a spiritual journey that forms a missionary attitude, leading to the living of an inspired (in spirit) and intentional life. In fact it’,s a fantastic journey for the participants and leaders of the course. However, our parish priest in Torquay, wanted to take this a stage further! His idea was that all those who had been sacramentally prepared –, for Reception into the Catholic Church, the parents of children who had made their First Holy Communion and the newly con昀,rmed –, should also participate in Mission Made Possible –, as a continuation of their formation. It has to be said that we were so proud that our parish has been the pilot for young newly con昀,rmed adults who have undertaken the course. It was an enriching and wonderful journey with two young people, totally inspirational and refreshing. Linden –, one of these - says as a result of participating in the course: “,As a recently con昀,rmed person this course has given me the tools to grow my evangelisation. I am talking about my faith more and taking advantage of natural conversations to do this. I‘,m also exploring prayer much more, including the Rosary. As the Spirit led me to these sessions, I will take the lessons forward to be open to opportunities for the Spirit to enter my life.”, James, the other newly con昀,rmed young person who took part in the course, o昀,ered these re昀,ections: “,The course has been a real eye opener for me, since it has given me more perspective as a follower of Christ. It has also made the relationship between myself and God stronger than before”,. James was particularly struck by the lives of the saints and martyrs who su昀,ered and ultimately died to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. He even did his own extra research to 昀,nd out more about those saints which were covered in the course! What a wonderful start to a life of faith for these young people –, to be given the tools to be able to evangelise so early on in both their life and faith journeys. We truly are made for Mission. *Names have been changed to protect identity. A special report from Julia Beecroft on an initiative taking place in the Diocese of Plymouth. RAINBOWS BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GB (Charity Number: 1058476) PART TIME DEVELOPMENT WORKER/TRAINER The Trustees of Rainbows Bereavement Support GB seek to appoint a Part-time Development Worker/Trainer for the region RAINBOWS NORTH WEST (Equivalent of five hours a week, term time only) Applicants will be required to have an appropriate background in education, health or social welfare and should possess an understanding of the issues surrounding bereavement and loss. Rainbows Bereavement Support GB is an increasingly successful national charity offering training in bereavement and loss to school staff and bereavement support programmes for children and young people grieving a significant and often devastating loss in their lives. Further details are attached. If you would like to know more about the post, we warmly encourage you to speak informally and in confidence to Sharon Melia-Craven, Rainbows National Co-Director with specific responsibility for the North before making an application. Sharon may be contacted by sharon.rainbowsgb@btconnect.com or phone on 07764 431536 RAINBOWS NORTH WEST Serving communities in Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, Salford, Worsley, Oldham, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Todmorden, Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Nelson, Colne and surrounding areas RAINBOWS DEVELOPMENT WORKERS / TRAINERS (Equivalent to 5 hrs a week, 40 week contract, term time only) Required for January 2022 FURTHER DETAILS: JOB DESCRIPTION: The essential purpose of this post is twofold: 1. To support the work of Rainbows currently operating in the schools across the regions. 2. To actively encourage additional schools in the region to ensure staff are trained in bereavement and loss issues and make use of Rainbows programmes as a proven and successful means of supporting children and young people through painful transitions in their lives. It will be a requirement of the post that the successful candidate undergoes training to become a Rainbows Registered Director/Trainer. PERSON SPECIFICATION It is essential that applicants are able to show that they have: •, An appropriate understanding of the issues surrounding bereavement and loss •, An empathy towards vulnerable children and adults •, A willingness to undergo training as a Rainbows Registered Director (Dates to be mutually agreed). The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with parents, school staff and a wide range of professionals •, The confidence and ability to train staff in schools and other settings •, Time management skills and an ability to prioritise workload with minimal supervision. •, Computer literate, with an ability to create high quality newsletters, invitations and publicity materials, and to manage bas ic computer databases, using Microsoft Office. •, The ability to be self-motivated, to work alone and as part of a team In addition, applicants should hold a current driving licence and have access to a car. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. While not essential, it will be desirable that applicants have an understanding of Rainbows groups in a school setting. An hourly rate of £,10.50 will be paid monthly over twelve months. Travel expenses will be paid from an agreed base within the region. APPLICATION: Applicants are requested to submit their application form to Sharon Melia Craven, National Co-Director, Rainbows Bereavement Support GB by email to sharon.rainbowsgb@btconnect.com. Closing date: 12 noon on the 1st November 2021 Interviews will be held during the week of 8th November 2021

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www.catholicvoiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk November 2021 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 O n Saturday September 11th a group of more than 30 pilgrims climbed Cross Fell to commemorate John Bradburne. The group included local Anglicans and Catholics as well as those from other parts of Cumbria and Lancashire and as far as Stockton, Liverpool, Croydon and Colchester. Importantly, we had 3 pilgrims born in Zimbabwe. Bishop Paul Swarbrick came with us and said prayers before we set o昀,, and on reaching the top. As is often the case, Cross Fell conjured up thick mist and a cold wind but, mercifully no rain, and we all reached the top and got safely, though soggily, down again. Why all this e昀,ort? Who was John Bradburne? He was born in Skirwith on 14th June 1921. His father was the Anglican vicar of Skirwith. John loved Cumbria very much and was very sad to leave when his father was appointed to a parish in Norfolk- he missed the hills. At the outbreak of war John joined up and sailed out to India with his brother. He joined the 2/9th Gurkhas and had a horrendous escape when the Japanese overtook Malaya. He then spent much of the war behind Japanese lines as one of Wingate’,s “,Chindits”, . He very nearly died of cerebral malaria and this close proximity to death had a profound e昀,ect on his religious development. On return to England at the end of the war he had no clear idea what to do but whilst in Devon spent time at Buckfast John Bradburne –, Cumbria’,s 2nd Saint? Abbey and was received into the Catholic church on 26th October 1947. After many failed attempts at monastic life he decided to become a lay member of the third order of St Francis. He spent time in Italy and in the Holy Land but never felt settled until he discovered Africa. Here he was introduced by Fr John Dove SJ to a leper colony at Mutemwa in what was then Rhodesia- now Zimbabwe. John spent the next 10 years caring for the lepers and becoming a friend to these poor abandoned people. Life became very di

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16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2021 www.catholic voiceo昀,ancaster.co.uk B ishop Paul Swarbrick formally accepted 4 men for the Diaconate at the Cathedral in September, a major step in their formation for the Permanent Diaconate. David Pope, one of the candidates said: “,The Bishop on behalf of the Church formally accepted me and 3 other men as a Candidate for Holy Orders. We promised him that we will complete our preparation so that in due time we will be ready to be ordained in the ministry of the Church. We also promised that we will continue to prepare ourselves in mind and spirit to give faithful service to Christ and His body, the Church. We then had to individually go and kneel in front of the Bishop and place our hands into his hands as he accepted us candidates saying these words to us, “,The Church receives your declaration with joy. May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to ful昀,lment”,. It was a very simple but signi昀,cant service, and comes as I begin my second year of formation and studies and a 12 month pastoral placement in the parish of Christ the King and St. Kentigern in Blackpool”,. Each of the candidates is grateful for the support and prayers they are receiving and will continue to pray for you all in return. Left to right Mike Laking - St Andrew and Blessed George Haydock, Preston John Chantry - Our Lady Star of the Sea, St Annes on Sea Bishop Paul Swarbrick David Pope - St Peter’,s, Lytham David Greaves - St Catherine’,s, Penrith “, The Church receives your declaration with joy. May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to ful昀,lment. ”, Diaconate Candidacy Church Supplies –, serving Schools, Business and Homes Our advertisers are great supporters of the Lancaster Voice, so please help them by supporting their businesses

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